BBC Radio 1: how to look stupid and arrogant

The BBC in its minute wisdom has decided to ban certain parts of The Pogues Fairytale of New York because they contain the words "slut" and "faggot."

This is a certain recipe to make people listen more closely to the "offensive" words and to increase sales.

But the point is that the words are used in the context of a fight or argument between two drunks hoping that their luck will turn around. They are hardly going to lift dialogue from Lady Windermere's Fan are they?

As Lenny Bruce used to point out a word is a word and is only offensive if there is intent.

BBC Radio 1 has said that "they had made their decision" and would not be going back. I think they will. They are creating a PR backlash.

Over 95% of the 7,000 votes on the BBC website have said they are wrong. Tom Robinson, a high profile gay rights campaigner is a bit surprised by the censorship and certainly does not think much of it.

Still BBC Radio knows best, at least Radio 2 does, they are still playing the song and have not censored anything.